Disclaimer—see Chapter One
A/N: Thank you again so much for your reviews—I can't tell you all enough how much it means to me and how much I appreciate all of you! You give me the encouragement to keep on going! I hope these next few chapters don't disappoint as they are a bit plot focused. So we're now going to "jump ship" for a few chapters and spend time on an island delving into the mission. But the ship is docked, and they'll be back aboard before it sets sail! Please let me know what you think! Thank you!!
While All Was Still—Chapter Nine
All was quiet for a few beats while the three of them looked at each other. Brennan's hands hastily moved into a more brotherly position, even as Shalimar composed her face into innocent inquiry. David's eyes narrowed imperceptively for an agonizing heartbeat before his tense stance relaxed and his mouth turned up into a charming smile.
"I see I don't get to be the first one to kiss you today after all," his eyes darted back and forth between them.
Brennan dropped a brotherly kiss on top of Shalimar's head, his fingers brushing her back in comforting reassurance before grinning back and holding out a hand to shake David's.
"David," he nodded at him, "Now that I know my sister is in good hands, I'll get out of the way. I've got plans of my own right now," he suggestively wagged his eyebrows, hoping to distract him from the earlier scene.
His hand tightened momentarily on Shalimar's shoulder. "Be safe, Shal," he quipped in a light tone as he stepped around them and forced his feet to willingly walk away.
Shalimar looped her arm through David's and coaxed him down the hallway. "So what do you want to do on your day off?" she entreated.
He stopped in the hallway, turning toward her. "This," he grabbed her shoulders and latched onto her lips in a hard, demanding kiss. She couldn't pull away without using feral strength, so she allowed him the move, one arm around his neck for show, the other clenched tightly at her side as he pressed even harder. After long moments, he finally pulled away and smiled purposefully. "Now that's a proper kiss," he whispered, eyes unreadable, before he turned around and walked back down the hallway. Shalimar stared after him, fingering her bruised and swollen lips and involuntarily flashed yellowed eyes at his back as he stepped away.
"Hey," Brennan greeted Laura as she stood by the ramp, waiting for him. "Sorry I'm late."
"That's ok,' she smiled eagerly at him, turning her face up for a kiss. He dropped a brief kiss on her lips and held out an arm for her, leading her down the palm-lined harbor. She giggled and pranced alongside him in yet another pair of impractical heels, squealing in delight as she saw a row of shops flanking the harbor. Brennan rolled his eyes and groaned as she dragged him toward the first one.
The morning passed by quickly. David showed no interest in pairing up with Brennan and Laura, so Shalimar began to think that maybe she was wrong and that he didn't have ulterior motives for the day after all.
She clung to the rail of the catamaran as it circled around the island. Music rang gaily from the speakers and drinks flowed freely. It was approaching the end of the ride and some people danced wildly around her, obviously quite inebriated. She shook her head at their crazy antics and turned her gaze back out toward the water, finding reassurance in the calming blue-green waves and rolling whitecaps.
Lexa narrowed her eyes as her link to the Dominion abruptly ended, and she hit the terminal in frustration.
"Not very much fun is it?" Jesse approached from behind.
She glared at him. "Mind your own damn business."
"Let me guess," he continued despite her comment, "They told you it was need to know."
Her eyes widened at his audacity.
"Not much fun when you're on the other side, is it?" He pointedly remarked.
She held her glare for a moment more before her shoulders drooped in defeat. "They wouldn't tell me anything about the child, just that Laura gave her up for adoption immediately after birth."
"Do you think your brother is the father?"
"No!" she shook her head adamantly, "He wouldn't abandon his own child, not willingly." She rubbed her temples tiredly. "If I could just find out some information on her, maybe I could learn something."
Jesse's look softened. He held out a piece of paper under her nose. "Trust your friends more, Lex." He set it down and walked away.
Lexa curiously picked up the paper and gasped. Somehow Jesse had found the little girl; she was living in the Caribbean.
Brennan sank into the small chair with a groan. Laura had finally stopped her crazy shopping spree when she saw a little bridal shop on the corner and had found some dresses to try on. He could hear her squeals of delight from inside the dressing room, and he cringed. They haven't even seen a hint of David all morning, and he was afraid perhaps the information had been incorrect and Laura was not in danger after all. He could not see an easy way out of the sticky situation he was finding himself in without causing a scene and then risking Laura's safety if she truly was a target. He refused to marry the girl, but he also could not bear to be responsible for her coming into harm's way. She was self-centered and annoying, but didn't deserve to die. He bit his lip to hold back the words tumbling to his mind when she called out for him again and pushed himself back to his feet.
She titillated in front of him, and he choked back a laugh, brows shooting up at the frilly thing she was encased in; and Shalimar had thought the souvenir t-shirt was gaudy.
Shalimar blew out her breath when the catamaran finally docked; it was good to be back on solid ground. Her ears were still ringing from the loudness of the boat, and the quiet atmosphere on the island was a relief. Her guard was up, senses attune and extremely sensitive. David's hand fell on her shoulder as they walked along. He had insisted on going for a walk around the entire island, and they strolled through a residential area, far off the usual tourist beat. She watched confused as he suddenly came to a stop outside a large, gated-off home that was set back from the others on the street. It was obviously an expensive home, and he peered over the elaborate fence for several minutes. She finally grew impatient and stepped up next to him, surprised to see the hatred written across his face, which immediately disappeared when he noticed her. His eyes strayed back over to beyond the fence for a few more seconds before bouncing back to her. He smiled and drew her away, back to the street and past the house.
"I'm fascinated by the local architecture," he explained with a shrug. "But I don't want to bore you, what do you say we go get lunch now?"
In the coolness of the shaded restaurant, Brennan felt revived. He sipped his drink and nodded occasionally to keep up the appearance of listening to Laura's rambling. When she suddenly paused mid-sentence he glanced up from his plate to see her glaring over his shoulder. He whipped around to see David and Shalimar in the doorway. He tensed; maybe Shalimar had been right after all, maybe something would finally happen. He watched as Shalimar pointed at them in pleasant surprise, tugging David with her over to their table.
"Mind if we join you," she asked with a smile.
Laura grudgingly nodded and a waiter pulled up two more chairs. Shalimar shot Brennan a pointed look, and he immediately knew she wanted to speak with him. He dropped one lid in a slow wink and then stood up, making excuses and heading towards the restrooms. He turned around the corner and waited for a few moments until Shalimar appeared next to him.
"We only have a few minutes," she hissed as he nodded and grabbed her hand, eyes darting both ways before dunking into the bathroom with her.
"Nice meeting place," she smirked, even as he whirled around and pushed her against the wall, capturing her mouth in a desperate, hungry kiss. Her hands rose up and tangled in his hair, and he broke away, leaning his head on her forehead.
"I missed you," he breathed, leaning down and kissing her again, greedy in his need of her. Groaning into her mouth, he deepened the kiss, until she suddenly winced and pulled back.
"Shalimar?" he questioned in concern, "Is your nose still hurting you?"
She looked up at him with tender eyes, hand resting on his cheek. He cupped her hand and kissed her palm. "Shal?"
"I'm alright Brennan, just a little sore."
He watched as she turned her face slightly away from him. Something was wrong. He gently cupped her cheeks and turned her face back towards him, looking closely at her in the light. His eyes widened as he saw faint bruising around her swollen lips. She dropped her gaze down as his finger rose up and lightly fingered her mouth in disbelief. She heard his sharp intake of breath and glanced back up.
"Who did this to you?" Brennan's eyes darkened and hardened until they were unrecognizable.
"Brennan, it's nothing, don't worry—"
"Who did this?"
She rested her hands on his chest to calm him down just as a knock sounded on the door.
"Go away," he yelled through the door in dangerous voice. Footsteps scurried away.
"What did he do?" he gritted in barely controlled fury, chest heaving up and down in deep, calculating breaths.
"Brennan, calm down," she raised her hands around his neck in a soothing gesture. "Nothing happened."
"Shalimar, you're hurt," his voice cracked in fear and anger, "Tell me what he did to you."
She sighed and closed her eyes, unable to bear the intensity in his expression. "He kissed me after you left."
"What?"
"He tries to hide it, and he is deceptively charming on the surface, but Brennan," she shook her head, "he's extremely possessive and controlling. I think he could very easily be dangerous."
"Damn," he banged his fist into the wall, "I knew I shouldn't have left you alone with him."
She grabbed his arm, "Brennan, stop it." She raised her voice and shot him a pointed look. "I could have stopped him at any time, I was not in danger. I allowed this," she gestured at her mouth, "because I'm not about to ruin our cover over a stupid kiss." She stared at him until he finally relented, pulling her to him with desperation.
"I'm sorry, Shal," he huskily whispered, burying his face in her hair, "If something ever happened to you, I don't know what I'd do."
"Nothing is going to happen to me, not now anyway." She pulled back to make eye contact. "I wanted us to call Sanctuary, but we better get back, or it will look suspicious."
"Yeah," he murmured in agreement, not moving. She could still sense the fear and anger in him; he had been more shaken than she realized. She leaned up and gave him a gentle kiss.
"See," she smiled against his lips, "I'm perfectly fine." She kissed him tenderly again. He shuddered, wrapping both arms around her, and she stroked his back in comfort until he finally relaxed.
"Let's go," she indicated to the door with her head. "They're going to wonder what happened to us."
"Let them wonder, if that bastard even opens his mouth right now--" he muttered, leaving the threat unfinished as he followed her out the door and back down the hallway. He turned the corner, bumping into Shalimar as she came to an abrupt stop, staring in growing dread at their table.
They were both gone.
